A43 towards Brackley B4100 roundabout inside lane by Baynards Green Services

by Causie

12 Jan 2012

It was Christmas morning 9:15 to 9:30 had just left junction 10 M40 heading towards mum & sisters in Northampton for Christmas on the A43. On exiting the 5th roundabout after leaving M40(junction with B4100 Baynards Green Services) saw a massive pothole in the inside lane (approx. 600mm long and 450mm wide and well over 100mm deep) nearer to the centre line of the dual carriageway. Turned to try and avoid but managed to put my off side front wheel through the pothole and managed to catch the kerb with my near side front wheel. Was a hell of a jolt but thought I had got away with it although tyre pressure warning light did come on during incident.
Had to pick mum up and get to sisters.
Next day however looked to find O/side front alloy was buckled with tyre down to 1.7 bar (had checked tyres previous evening and had been 2.2 Bar)
N/side alloy was scraped and there was a chunk of the tyre missing.
On my homeward journey on the 27th December 2011 called in to Baynard Green Services to photograph and locate pothole. It was Immediately adjacent Highway Agency lamp post SL 062. However the pothole had been filled so photographed repair and fresh tarmac etc. on side of road.
I understand from drivers that use this route regularly that this pothole has been there for at least 6 to 12 months?
Can anybody confirm this as the Highways Agency will not accept any responsibility for the loss. The repairs have cost £700.